Reasons for the Spike in Cocaine Use in the U.K.

Most notably, the currently high levels of European drug consumption is to blame for the increase in cocaine use across the continent.

While this aspect holds truth in the general context of cumulative drug use across Europe, cocaine’s market features have contributed to its supremacy.

Cocaine’s price in the U.K. is very low vis-à-vis other narcotic options.

Additionally, the cocaine sold in the U.K. boasts of relatively high purity, added to the fact that the drug is easily available.

The Dark Web: An Explanation for Relatively Low Cocaine Prices in the U.K.

The United Kingdom has joined the league of the world’s biggest buyers of drugs on the dark web—just as Dark Web News reported recently.

According to Measham, the dark web has contributed greatly to the current cocaine problem in the U.K.

A decent percentage of British drug users can now access the substance online without having to face the risks associated with buying cocaine on the streets.

Additionally, most of the cocaine found in darknet markets boasts of high purity levels. These factors are coupled with the fact that the dark web has greatly challenged the interception of drug consignments by authorities.

The other reason, in Measham’s view, is still tied to the currently high purity levels of cocaine found in the U.K. drug market.

The time preceding the year 2010 was associated by a scarce availability of good quality cocaine.

In addition, sometime in 2010, very little coke was finding its way into the U.K. market. This aspect stemmed from successful drug enforcement efforts by U.K. authorities.

To adjust, drug users resorted to abusing Chinese-manufactured psychoactive substances. This observation explains the initial slump in cocaine prices in 2010, a factor that has not changed much to date.

So, accordingly, the currently low cocaine pricing is an aftershock of the drug’s market conditions eight years ago.

Latest Findings: The U.K.’s Dire Cocaine Ecosystem

The analysis used 2016 statistics to show that 4 percent of youth, aged 16-34 years, have consumed cocaine in the previous year.

The E.U.’s drug monitoring agency revealed that the figures surpassed the E.U.-wide average of 1.9 percent of consumers abusing the Class A drug.

Other European countries (mainly Denmark and Spain) also reported significant cocaine prevalence.

An Imminent Reality: The U.K., Europe’s Cocaine Capital

While glossing over the shocking figures asserted by the damning report, U.K. lawmakers have raised alarm over the advancement of cocaine use among younger populations, and its relationship with darknet websites.

Ben Wallace, the U.K. security minister, has come out to declare his “worry” over the looming cocaine crisis in the U.K.

According to his sentiments, the U.K. is certainly edging towards becoming the cocaine capital of Europe.

The minister cited high supply and profitability of the drug as an aspect contributing to high cocaine use in the U.K.

Technology has also added to the wealth of challenges inhibiting a sufficient law enforcement grip on cocaine trade.

The officialtold a Commons debatethat smartphones and encryption have accorded adolescents with an opportunity to deal drugs with ease.

Previously, drug purchases were made difficult by the need to physically travel to drug sources.

The recent years, on the other hand, have featured a shift from that scenario to an easy access of products and services online.

These days, you can deal drugs right from the comfort of your home. Money laundering has also been simplified by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

Similarly, Labor MP David Lammyissued a warning about the realities of drug-related crime in the U.K.

The minister cited the smartphone age and message encryption techniques as culprits in the rise of cocaine use in Europe.

Concerning this, the dark web has greatly eliminated the need for middle-men, and this aspect has surmounted drug enforcement initiatives.

Cocaine is no longer the preserve of the rich and famous, but is now an easily accessible substance that can be shopped through a simple web click.

Disclaimer:

The articles and content found on Dark Web News are for general information purposes only and are not intended to solicit illegal activity or constitute legal advice. Using drugs is harmful to your health and can cause serious problems including death and imprisonment, and any treatment should not be undertaken without medical supervision.

Dark Web News is a publication dedicated to bringing the latest news about TOR, hidden marketplaces, and everything related to the dark web. We work hard to find and report on the most exciting and relevant dark net news. We also offer help and advice on using the dark net safely and securely.